Top Akali Dal leaders hold separate meeting, seek change in party leadership
Chandigarh: A rebellion seems to be brewing in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) after a section of senior leaders held a separate meeting in Jalandhar and skipped a meeting called by party president Sukhbir Badal in Chandigarh.
The rebel leaders spoke on the need for a change in the party following SAD's poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections, while addressing a press conference after their meeting in Jalandhar,
Among those present at the rebel meeting were Prem Singh Chandumajra, Sikander Singh Maluka, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, and Sarwan Singh Phillaur. They announced plans to launch a 'SAD Bachao' movement next month.
"It was discussed seriously as to why Akali Dal has become so weak... We have fallen from the sky to the ground. A change in the party is necessary," said Prem Singh Chandumajra.
Another rebel leader, Bibi Jagir Kaur, accused Sukhbir Singh Badal of ignoring party leaders. "All supporters of SAD are worried about how to rise back from the situation in which we are. We have tried to speak to the party chief (Sukhbir Singh Badal) but he never listens to us. He does not try to rectify the shortcomings," Kaur said, as quoted by ANI.
"We are worried about why the people of Punjab are not accepting us... We will go to the Akal Takht Sahib on July 1 and ask for forgiveness for the losses that occurred because of our silence," she added.
Meanwhile, Sukhbir Badal held a meeting with district presidents and other leaders in Chandigarh to review the party's performance in the Lok Sabha elections.
The SAD managed to secure only one of the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab in the elections, with their vote share plummeting to 13.42 percent from 27.45 percent in 2019.
Responding to the rebel leaders' meeting in Jalandhar, the Akali Dal described the dissenters as "frustrated elements sponsored by the BJP" trying to "weaken" the party.
Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema remarked that the rebel leaders should have waited for the working committee meeting on June 26 before holding a separate meeting. "In a democracy, there is always a difference of opinion... If one or two people have a difference of opinion, then it is not a revolt," Cheema stated.
"The meeting of the working committee is on June 26. If you express your opinion before the meeting, then that becomes doubtful. It looks preplanned. It looks as if you are not interested in the improvement or the upliftment of the party, and you said something just because you wanted to. Otherwise, there was a need to wait. They should have participated and listened to what others had to say. After that, they could have presented their view," Cheema added, according to ANI.
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Lokayukta ADGP M. Chandrasekhar calls Kumaraswamy’s allegations ‘false, malicious’
Bengaluru: Lokayukta ADGP and Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief M. Chandrasekhar has strongly refuted the accusations of Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and termed it ‘false and malicious.’
"HD Kumaraswamy, an accused in SIT's case no.16/14, made false and malicious allegations and threats in a press conference today," said Chandrashekar.
Chandrasekhar stated that these allegations were aimed at intimidating SIT officers, particularly as the SIT has sought legal action against Kumaraswamy, who is currently out on bail. "These accusations were made to prevent us from fulfilling our duties," Chandrasekhar remarked, adding that no matter the status of the accused, they will be treated fairly and according to the law.
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He further mentioned, “By attacking me, they may have intended to strike fear in the minds of the SIT officers. However, Chandrasekhar said that no matter how high in position and mighty an accused is, he is just an accused. We will not be deterred by such accusations and threats. I work fearlessly and impartially as SIT head, and promise to give justice to all. I also promise to protect you from criminals and accused in our cases and from external influences.”
Retorting to Kumaraswamy's allegations, Chandrashekar cited George Bernard Shaw’s famous quote, "Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it," explaining that although they may have to face criminals and accusations in their line of duty, they must remain steadfast in their mission.
“Never lose hope. Because truth always wins. Let us believe in truth, God and our law.Satyameva Jayate,” the letter read.
